Barbara Vaughan
Greenville | Save
Barbara L. Vaughan, age 74 of Greenville, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025, at HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville. Not only was Barbara known as a wonderful friend, mother, wife, and grandparent, but also as a mentor to future writers, journalists, and educators.
Funeral services will be held 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Greenville Free Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the church. Memorials may be made to Bond County Core Community or Bond County Food Pantry.
Barbara Lee, the daughter of Thomas Hunter and Shirley Allen Chamness, was born May 11, 1951, in Marion, Illinois. Barbara grew up in Marion with her older brother Stephen and graduated from Marion High School in 1969. She attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and obtained her degree in education. She got a job teaching at Marion High School where she taught journalism, creative writing, and research writing for 32 years. Barbara served as the school newspaper sponsor and chair of the English department. While at MHS, she furthered her education and earned a master’s degree in educational psychology from SIU Carbondale. She retired from teaching in 2006.
Barb married David Earl Vaughan on June 5, 1999. Barbara and David were active in service in nondenominational churches together from 1999-2017, including pastoral ministry at the Good Fight of Faith congregations in Marion and Effingham and the Pillar of Fire church in Marion. They enjoyed camping, antique shopping, and traveled together. They moved to Greenville in 2017. David preceded her in death on October 13, 2018.
Barbara’s involvement in her new community was extensive. She volunteered for Friends of the Library, Core Community, and the church library. She enjoyed serving on the Free Methodist church hospitality team. Most recently, she co-facilitated the church’s GriefShare group. She loved her Bible study, her women’s small group, and her accountability group. She made friends wherever she went.
She is survived by her daughter Alison (Brad) Lanter of Donnellson, Illinois, daughter from her first marriage to Alan Schoen. She is also survived by stepdaughter April (Kevin) Cropper of Maryland, and stepson-in-law Dean Clark. She was a loving grandmother of 7: Graci, Lana, Esmee, Ian, Sabine, Emily and Joe.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, stepdaughter Angie Clark, and her brother Steve.
Please share an online memory, picture, or leave the family a condolence by visiting www.donnellwiegand.com.
Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home
